ANOTHER government employee at the Bacolod Government Center in Bacolod City died due to coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, chairperson of Bacolod City Inter-Agency Task Force against Covid-19, said Friday, August 14, 2020, the 59-year-old employee, a sweeper and assigned at Libertad Public Market, tested positive for Covid-19 and died on Thursday night.
The employee, a resident of Barangay Tangub, underwent a swab test on August 10.
Familiran said the City Health Office (CHO) is now conducting contract tracing to determine those who have close contact with the employee.
On August 12, an employee assigned at Public Affairs and Assistance Division (PAAD) also tested positive for Covid-19.
Since last week, two employees assigned at the Land Tax Division, who both tested positive for Covid-19, have died and six of their co-workers also tested positive for the virus.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia immediately ordered the temporary closure of the Bacolod Government Center from August 10 to 16.
To provide continuous services, the mayor also ordered several offices to continue operating outside the Bacolod Government Center.
The City Mayor’s Office will temporarily occupy at the Public Plaza Office; City Administrator’s Office at the Tourism Satellite Office (near SM City); City Treasurer’s Office at the Old City Hall; and Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) at the MassKara Office (near BaysCenter).
Familiaran said of the 61 barangays in the city, most of the barangays have local transmission of Covid-19.
He said some puroks in various barangays, where Covid-19 patients lived, were also locked down.
As of August 13, Bacolod City has a total of 421 cases. Of the number, 297 are active cases, 297 recovered cases and nine deaths.